Every year of his college career, Arden Walker has shown improvement.

Now that he’s a fifth-year senior, the Colorado defensive end is aiming for his best year yet.

“I think (the improvement this year) is what (assistant coach George Helow) is preaching to me about IQ, knowing what’s going on,” Walker said Tuesday after the Buffs’ seventh practice of spring. “I feel like that’s been helping me play faster. So it’s just knowing formations and reading my keys and stuff like that.

“I feel like if I continue to be consistent with that, I feel like I can be one of the best players in the country.”

A graduate of Cherry Creek High School, Walker was rated by 247Sports.com as the No. 5 prospect in the state in 2021.

He wound up at Missouri, spending two seasons with the Tigers.

As a true freshman in 2021, he played in four games, registered five tackles. In 2022, he appeared in 12 games, including starting the Tigers’ last two games. He posted six tackles, including 1.5 tackles for loss, that season.

After transferring to CU in 2023, Walker was a key reserve, posting 12 tackles, 1.5 TFLs, his first career sack and a fumble recovery. Then, in 2024, he became one of the Buffs’ top edge players.

Playing in all 13 games, Walker recorded 33 tackles, 6.5 TFLs, 4.5 sacks and five quarterback hurries. His 4.5 sacks ranked second on the team and tied for 15th in the Big 12.Walker is now the most experienced player in his group, as the only fifth-year senior.

“Arden and I have had this conversation, so I can have it publicly,” CU defensive coordinator Robert Livingston said. “This place means a lot to him. Obviously, he’s a generational player here. So if he can step up and truly take that leadership role, that would be really cool.”

It’s a role Walker feels is natural for him, adding, “I feel like I can bring them along and be uplifting and speak life into them.”

There is plenty of talent with him in the group, including fellow senior Keaten Wade, junior Samuel Okunlola and sophomore Taje McCoy — a trio that combined for 18.5 TFLs and 11 sacks last year.

With Wade and Okunlola out with injuries right now, and McCoy still a young player, Walker is becoming the leader.

“I’m taking the initiative,” he said. “I think I gotta bring the guys along and set the tone. It starts up front, obviously. So I gotta make sure I make some noise in the backfield, and whatever I need to do to set the edge, even bring the guys along, like being a vocal leader as well. I gotta make sure I step up in that leadership role.”

CU was dramatically improved on defense in 2024 but lost several key players to graduation. Okunlola (10 starts) is the only returning player in the front seven who started more than three games for the Buffs last year.

However, Walker, who made three starts and played 385 snaps, echoes several of his teammates and coaches who have praised the talent and depth in the front seven. And, he’s excited to play his role.

“I think we’re just getting after it on defense,” Walker said. “Defensive line, we’re definitely loaded, I would say. We got some guys and much more depth as well. So I think we’re continuing just to stack days with these practices and then bring the guys that came in along as well. Making sure they know the defense and get ready for August.”